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Country legend George Jones died today in Nashville at the age of 81.

A Grand Ole Opry member since 1956, he had been hospitalized since April 18, 2013, at Vanderbilt University Hospital with a fever and irregular blood pressure.

His six decade career began in 1954 and was overshadowed at times by his alcoholism and cocaine addiction. He picked up the nickname “No-Show Jones” because he missed so many performances.

During the height of his popularity, fellow artist Waylon Jennings wrote about Jones in his song ‘It’s Alright.’

He penned, “George might show up flyin’ high, if George shows up at all … But he may be, unconsciously, the greatest of them all … From the Beatles and me in Nashville, to the billies and the Rolling Stones … If we all sounded like we wanted to, we’d all sound like George Jones … And it’s alright.”

The Country Western Hall of Fame inductee, circa 1992, recorded 14 #1 country hits including ‘White Lightning,’ ‘I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,’ and ‘Yesterday’s Wine.’

Jones was married twice to fellow Nashville great Tammy Wynette, in 1969 and 1975. Their daughter Georgette Jones followed in the famous footsteps of her parents as a country singer — who has performed on stage with her famous father.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Nancy Sepulvado, who resides in Franklin, Tennessee, and three children from two previous unions in 1950 and 1954.

Check out a George and Georgette duet of ‘You and Me and Time’ below:

Photo: WENN